Six Florida Universities Rate Among Best Values in Finance Report

Published: Friday, December 28, 2012 at 11:57 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, December 28, 2012 at 11:57 p.m.

Six Florida universities ranked in Kiplinger's newly released list of the nation's 100 best values in public colleges — including the University of Florida, which placed third for in-state students.

Facts

Kiplinger's Best Values in Public Colleges

Florida universities listed in the 100 top values:University of Florida: Ranked No. 3 for in-state students and No. 11 for out-of-stateNew College of Florida: Ranked No. 7 for in-state students and No. 30 for out-of-stateFlorida State University: Ranked No. 26 for in-state students and No. 33 for out-of-stateUniversity of Central Florida: Ranked No. 42 for in-state students and No. 69 for out-of-stateUniversity of South Florida: Ranked No. 57 for in-state students and No. 56 for out-of-stateUniversity of North Florida: Ranked No. 64 for in-state students and No. 94 for out-of-stateSource: Kiplinger's Personal Finance: www.kiplinger.com/reports/best-college-values/

The rankings, released annually by Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine, are derived from editor compilations. A list of about 600 public, four-year schools is narrowed to about 130.

Findings are based on the SAT or the American College Testing (ACT) scores, admission and retention rates, student-faculty ratios and graduation rates for four years and six years. The schools then are ranked based on cost and financial aid. Academic quality is more heavily weighted than costs.

The highest ranking went to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for the 12th consecutive year for in-state students.

UF spokesman Stephen Orlando said the university appreciates the kudos. "It's always nice to be recognized for the excellent value we offer," he said. "UF students get an incredible education for a tuition that's considerably lower than every one of our peer institutions.

"What's more, the majority of our students incur no student loan debt — that's something very few schools can say."

New College of Florida came in after UF among the Florida universities that made the top 100. It was No. 7 for in-state students and No. 30 for out-of-state. The magazine said 90 percent of the school's students receive financial aid, but the average need-based aid brings the total cost for in-state students to "a bargain $7,674" a year.

And "32 percent of undergraduates take out student loans, the lowest percentage of student borrowers among our top 100 list."

Next in Kiplinger's ranking for Florida was Florida State University, No. 26/No. 33; University of Central Florida, No. 42/No. 69; University of South Florida, No. 57/No.56, and University of North Florida, No. 64/No. 94.

Florida has 12 public universities, including Lakeland's under-construction Florida Polytechnic University. More than 330,000 students are enrolled within the State University System of Florida. It is the second-largest public university system in the nation.

Still, the future of public education appears troubling, the magazine said.

"Despite a slowly improving economy, the landscape for public colleges continues to look bleak," wrote Kiplinger staff writer Susannah Snider. "Having endured cuts in state appropriations over the past several years, colleges have bumped up class sizes and trimmed administrative staff."

<p>Six Florida universities ranked in Kiplinger's newly released list of the nation's 100 best values in public colleges — including the University of Florida, which placed third for in-state students.</p><p>The rankings, released annually by Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine, are derived from editor compilations. A list of about 600 public, four-year schools is narrowed to about 130.</p><p>Findings are based on the SAT or the American College Testing (ACT) scores, admission and retention rates, student-faculty ratios and graduation rates for four years and six years. The schools then are ranked based on cost and financial aid. Academic quality is more heavily weighted than costs.</p><p>The highest ranking went to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for the 12th consecutive year for in-state students.</p><p>UF spokesman Stephen Orlando said the university appreciates the kudos. "It's always nice to be recognized for the excellent value we offer," he said. "UF students get an incredible education for a tuition that's considerably lower than every one of our peer institutions.</p><p>"What's more, the majority of our students incur no student loan debt — that's something very few schools can say."</p><p>New College of Florida came in after UF among the Florida universities that made the top 100. It was No. 7 for in-state students and No. 30 for out-of-state. The magazine said 90 percent of the school's students receive financial aid, but the average need-based aid brings the total cost for in-state students to "a bargain $7,674" a year.</p><p>And "32 percent of undergraduates take out student loans, the lowest percentage of student borrowers among our top 100 list."</p><p>Next in Kiplinger's ranking for Florida was Florida State University, No. 26/No. 33; University of Central Florida, No. 42/No. 69; University of South Florida, No. 57/No.56, and University of North Florida, No. 64/No. 94.</p><p>Florida has 12 public universities, including Lakeland's under-construction Florida Polytechnic University. More than 330,000 students are enrolled within the State University System of Florida. It is the second-largest public university system in the nation.</p><p>Still, the future of public education appears troubling, the magazine said.</p><p>"Despite a slowly improving economy, the landscape for public colleges continues to look bleak," wrote Kiplinger staff writer Susannah Snider. "Having endured cuts in state appropriations over the past several years, colleges have bumped up class sizes and trimmed administrative staff."</p>